July 24, 2016 by Amy Gold
During the week of July 17, 2016, a long-lost Beatles demo recording performed by Paul McCartney of a song that he had written with John Lennon for the late Cilla Black resurfaced. Titled "It’s For You," this song became a Top 10 U.K. hit and a minor hit in the U.S. for Black in 1964.
Also, for those who can't decide between Clinton and Trump, Alice Cooper may offer a viable alternative this November. The veteran shock rocker announced that he will be running for president (see video below).
A new Led Zeppelin box set titled "The Complete BBC Sessions" featuring in-studio live recordings from 1969-1971 will be coming out this September. Also due out that month are a new David Bowie box set titled "Who Can I Be Now? (1974-1976)" and a new album titled "The Beatles: Live At The Hollywood Bowl" of the band's 1964-1965 shows at this famous venue.
Also this September, James Taylor will be performing at the 2016 "All For The Hall" benefit concert to take place at The Novo in Los Angeles.
Also that week, it was announced that ex-Yes frontman Jon Anderson will receive the Prog God prize at the 2016 Progressive Music Awards this September in London. Also, Paul McCartney was honored by the U.K.'s Official Charts Company with its Official Chart Record Breaker Award in recognition of his having scored more #1 albums on this chart than any other artist in history.
Finally, a new movie titled "The Lennon Report" which focuses on the events immediately following John Lennon's murder in December 1980 will make its theatrical premiere on October 7, 2016.
(For more information about the above-listed news items, please see below for a list of sources with links and article summaries.)
As part of his presidential campaign, Alice Cooper performs an updated version of his 1972 hit, "Elected," complete with fireworks and other onstage theatrics.
July 17, 2016: Alice Cooper Running For Both President And UK Prime Minister
For those who can't decide between Clinton and Trump, Alice Cooper may offer a viable alternative this November. The veteran shock rocker recently announced the launch of a new campaign supporting him not only as the next U.S. President but also as the Prime Minister of England. On his campaign website, aliceforprimeminister.com, Cooper outlines his unique platform which includes a snake in every pot,
no more pencils, no more books,
and a ban on taking selfies, except on a designated National Selfie Day.
His campaign song is an updated version of his 1972 hit, "Elected," which was included in his "Billion Dollar Babies" album (see video above). Visitors to his website can download this song as well as show their support.
Source: Alice Cooper Revives 'Elected' With Political Campaign
July 19, 2016: Led Zeppelin To Release Expanded Version of 1997 'BBC Sessions' Compilation
A new Led Zeppelin box set titled "The Complete BBC Sessions" will be coming out on September 16, 2016. This 3-CD collection, which is an expanded version of the "BBC Sessions" 2-CD set released in 1997, features in-studio live recordings from 1969-1971 that include a number of previously unreleased and "lost" tracks. "BBC Sessions" (1997) peaked at #12 on the Billboard 200 and sold over two million copies in the U.S.
Source: Led Zeppelin Reissuing Expanded Version of 1997 "BBC Sessions" Compilation in September
July 20, 2016: New Beatles Album Of Hollywood Bowl Concerts To Be Released
A new Beatles album featuring performances from the band's three shows in 1964-1965 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles will be coming out on September 9, 2016. This upcoming album, titled "The Beatles: Live At The Hollywood Bowl," is a companion to the upcoming documentary, "The Beatles: Eight Days A Week -- The Touring Years," which focuses on the Fab Four's career from 1962-1966. This movie will make its theatrical debut on September 16 and will begin streaming the following day on Hulu.
Source: New Beatles Album Captures Performances from Band's 1964 and '65 Hollywood Bowl Concerts
July 21, 2016: James Taylor To Perform At Country Music Hall Of Fame Benefit Concert
James Taylor is among the featured performers at this year's "All For The Hall" benefit concert which will take place September 27, 2016 at The Novo in Los Angeles. The proceeds will go to the Country Music Hall of Fame's educational programs.
Source: James Taylor to Perform at L.A. Benefit for Country Music Hall of Fame This Fall
July 22, 2016: Long-Lost 1964 Beatles Demo Resurfaces
A long-lost Beatles demo recording from 1964 of a song that Paul McCartney and John Lennon had written for the late Cilla Black was recently found in her belongings by family members. Titled "It’s For You," this song, performed in the demo by Paul McCartney, became a Top 10 U.K. hit and a minor hit in the U.S. for Black in 1964. The demo will be auctioned off on August 27, 2016 by The Beatles Memorabilia Auction, and a short clip can be heard here.
Source: The Beatles' lost 1964 demo found in brown envelope - listen
July 22, 2016: Paul McCartney Named UK's Most Successful Album Artist
Paul McCartney was recently honored by the U.K.'s Official Charts Company with its prestigious Official Chart Record Breaker Award in recognition of his having scored more #1 albums on this chart than any other artist in history. To date, McCartney's top-charting albums, including those with The Beatles (15) and Wings (2), plus those with his late wife Linda (1) and his solo releases (4), total 22. John Lennon came in at #2 in this list with 18 albums, followed by George Harrison at #3 with 17 albums. Ringo Starr and Robbie Williams tied at #4 with 15 albums, Elvis Presley, Phil Collins and Madonna tied at #6 with 12, and David Bowie came in at #9 with 11.
Source: Paul McCartney Honored as UK's "Most Successful Album Artist"
July 22, 2016: Jon Anderson Of Yes To Receive 2016 Prog God Award
Ex-Yes frontman and band co-founder Jon Anderson will be honored with the Prog God prize at the 2016 Progressive Music Awards to take place September 1, 2016 in London. Anderson's recently released "Invention Of Knowledge" was also nominated for a Progressive Music Award in the Album of the Year category, and the winner will be chosen based on votes from the public. For more info and/or to cast a vote, visit teamrock.com.
Source: Founding Yes Singer Jon Anderson to Be Honored with 2016 Prog God Award
July 22, 2016: New Movie About John Lennon's Murder To Be Released
A new movie titled "The Lennon Report" will make its premiere on October 7, 2016 in select theaters across the country. This film, which debuted last April at the Beverly Hills Film Festival, focuses on the events immediately following Lennon's murder on December 8, 1980.
Source: New Dramatic Movie Focusing on John Lennon's Death to Get Theatrical Release in October
July 22, 2016: New David Bowie Box Set To Be Released
A new David Bowie box set titled "Who Can I Be Now? (1974-1976)" is due out on September 23, 2016 in various formats. This massive collection includes "Diamond Dogs" (1974), "David Live" (1974), "Young Americans" (1975), "Station To Station" (1976), and "Live Nassau Coliseum '76," plus the previously-unreleased "The Gouster" and "Re:Call 2," a collection of singles and non-album B-sides. For more info and a complete list of tracks, visit davidbowie.com.
Source: Who Can I Be Now? (1974 - 1976) details - David Bowie Latest News